Meaning
- To go back instead of going forward.
- To force someone/something to go back.
- To try to undo or go back to how things were.
- To dismiss or send away.
Today's Sentences
01
It’s safer to turn back now.
Situation
This trail looks too dangerous, should we keep going?
No, actually it’s safer to turn back from here.
But we’ve come so far already.
Sometimes it’s wiser to turn back than to take risks.
02
I wish I could turn back time.
Situation
Your skin looks amazing!
Really? Thanks.
I wish I could turn back time though.
Whatever for?
You look great for your age.
I think everyone wants their outward image to match the youthful energy they feel inside.
Writer's Note
"Turn back" is an intransitive, transitive, separable, inseparable phrasal verb.
- Intransitive - A phrasal verb that does not take an object to complete its meaning.
Structure: Subject + "turn back" (+ from + place)
Example 1: It got dark, so we turned back before reaching the river.
Example 2: The hikers had to turn back because of the storm.
Example 3: Halfway through the race, he turned back due to an injury. - Transitive - A phrasal verb that needs an object to complete its meaning.
Structure: Subject + turn + object + back
Example 1: The guards turned back the protesters at the gate.
Example 2: The police turned the cars back at the border.
Example 3: They had to turn people back because the venue was full. - Inseparable - The particle turn and verb back must stay together.
Structure: Subject + "turn back"
Example 1: It started raining, so we had to turn back.
Example 2: The hikers turned back before reaching the summit.
Example 3: She wished she could turn back time. - Separable - You may place an object between the particle and the verb.
Structure: Subject + turn + object + back
Example 1: The gallery had to turn the tourists back due to a security issue.
Example 2: Heavy fog forced the pilot to turn the plane back to the airport.
Example 3: When I forgot my passport, the officer had no choice but to turn me back at customs.
Related Words: Decline, dismiss, go back, refuse, reject, repel, repulse, retrace, retreat, reverse, send back
